MANCHESTER United are attempting to break the deadlock over a transfer fee for Sunderland striker David Bellion.

Talks will continue despite the fact that Reds' chief executive Peter Kenyon is in Europe this week on G14 business, then in the Far East next week opening a new United store in Thailand.

Sunderland chairman Bob Murray is due back from holiday this week, and the deal could start moving nearer weekend.

Negotiations for the French 20-year-old raw talent began last week, but have stalled on the fee for the player that former Black Cats boss Peter Reid snapped up from Cannes on a free transfer in the summer of 2001.

His contract is up at Sunderland this summer, and if United can't agree on a fee during this month's transfer window then they would be forced to go to a tribunal in the close season. Sunderland are understood to want around é4m.